Import Google Map into Basecamp

I've been through the Basecamp Tutorial (great work!!) but did not see an answer to this question: How do I move a Google Map that I have created into Basecamp ?

If this has already been answered, my apologies...just point me in the right direction.

Thanks for your help.

Bob

map, or track ?

I want to create a map in Google Map and import that into my Garmin GPS through Basecamp. I've done it before (I think) but can't seem to remember how I did it.

Still unclear what you mean, Google maps are already maps, so you don't create maps there. I presume you mean you have created a route in the maps and now need to import that into Basecamp. To do that you can use this

https://mapstogpx.com/

Sorry to be so dense. You are correct...Google maps are "maps". I am wanting to create a "route" using Google Maps and then import that into Basecamp, then bring that into my Garmin GPS. I'll check out your link. Thanks!

I did it for the first time a few days ago. It was a pretty involved process. In Google Map I think I clicked on the tool associated with the route and had it create a kml file. Then I opened the kml file in Google Earth. Actually I double clicked on the kml file and Windows just opened Google Earth and loaded the file in. Then I used Google Earth to create a kmz file. Basecamp can handle kmz files. I used Basecamp to create a GPX file.

I think GPSVisualizer does this much more simply, but when I went to download it, my anti-virus software warned me that the site was dangerous.

Since I already had a method that worked, I decided not to chance it.

LOL

Every now and then I get a reminder that people still use anti-virus crap, like a friend will say "hey this file you sent me can't be opened" or "my phone said that file is dangerous" or "that website link you sent will corrupt my compooters" or similar.

Then I pat the 11 year old macintosh and download the crap anyway, use it, recycle it to whatever other devices want to use it, and don't worry.

Anti-virus still has value, if only for comedic purposes.

I keep seeing references to "create a kml file" and can't figure out how to do this. Can you offer any suggestions? Thanks,

Bob

use google

I did this to create a gpx file from a Google Maps route someone else created. When I clicked on his link I got a map showing the route and on the left side of the screen was some information about the route. At the top of this frame there was a red bar with the name of the route. On the right side of the red bar are three vertical dots. Clicking this icon opens a Tools menu. The last menu item is "Create KML File". It gave me two options which were pretty much gibberish. The first one said it would only be usable online, so I chose the second option.

After I stored this KML file on my computer, I double clicked on it and my PC opened up Google Earth. The rest is as I described above.

This is how it works for me in Safari:


In Google Maps, make sure you are logged in to your Google account.

Open the menu by clicking the 3-line icon in the upper left corner of the google maps window, in the google maps search box.

Click on “Your places”

Select “Maps” (other choices are labeled, saved, visited)

Way down at the bottom of the column that appears, there should be a link in relatively small letters to “CREATE MAP”. Click on that.

It’s in the new window that opens in which you can create routes in a layer, create others layers for points of interest, etc.

Now create a test route in this untitled map, giving the “untitled map” a name, and you can name the layer(s) as well.

Once you have a test route ready to export, click on the three dots to the right of the name that you have given the map, and you’ll see the option to “Export to KML”

Bobcat and others,

Your suggestions were helpful. To be honest, I think it may be better to simply figure out how to use Basecamp and then not have to worry about the antics required to bring a google map route into my Garmin. Thanks,

Bob

Actually, Bob, it sometimes is better to use Google Maps than Basecamp. The more tools you have, the better you can use your gps.

Kinda like eating your spinach

And then I discovered Scenic app on my phone , I struggled a little with Basecamp and Google but I love the design road and export function on Scenic.

Bob-


the problem is that basecamp as a process requires just as much insider knowledge and odd steps that Google maps does....

I could whip up a route (and track) in a few minutes on my phone, and Bluetooth it to another (the Garmin devices still can't accept files from other devices, in 2017???) without much fuss at all, but.... you're trying to make the Garmin stuff work.

OK, there are tons of video tutorials on YouTube, that would help you figure out the basecamp maze. that would be the best place to start. it's still a very convoluted process, not intuitive, and leaves fills scratching their heads, but it's a start.

Once done, you can click on the FOLDER icon and select EXPORT TO KML. We want to export the directions we’ve just created. Once the file has been downloaded to our computer, we can now switch to GARMIN BASECAMP and import the KML file into our collection.

Click on the ADD DIRECTIONS button and start to enter in the left column box, the way points or addresses you want to map along your route. Google map will start to create the turn by turn directions.

"Basecamp maze"...boy, that sums it up doesn't it? Actually, navigating anything Garmin is a challenge. My Garmin bicycle computers have been hideous. But to be honest, I don't find Google products (Maps, Blogger come to mind) to be much better, they can be achingly unintuitive. I want to fucking scream when I use them.

Update - you now have to use Google "My Maps" to do this. Works similar to the more common Google Maps. https://www.google.com/maps/d/
I prefer to use a dedicated GPS (or two) because if you don't have cell service you are more or less out of luck. I like to plan and review trips in Google Maps because you can see the terrain pretty clearly - better chance of keeping out of trouble on the big pig.

I just did this today, for the first time in a long time, so my wife can head out on a solo weekend on her FJR. This is still no less complicated, fragile, stupid, and more risk-prone-to-the-actual-route-you-want in 2020 than it was 10 and more years ago. I wish Garmin and Google would both come out of their silos into the sunlight, or Garmin would make software that isn't embarrassingly bad, or Google would just make a GPS that works with their map stuff.

So disappointing that this is still fundamentally impossible without heroic measures.

I don't think it's that hard. The alternatives (Tom Tom, OSM smartphone apps, etc) aren't that much better are they?